Love & Lakes by Rail | Self Guided Package | 8 Days

DAY 1:                                      MILAN 

Upon arrival into Milan, make your own way to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city at your own pace, we suggest a visit to the Duomo with its terraces, the Castello Sforzesco, and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Overnight in Milan. 

DAY 2:                                      MILAN – LAKE MAGGIORE 

After breakfast at the hotel, make your own way to Milan Central Station and take the train to Lake Maggiore. The shores of this lake are shared between Switzerland and Italy. The name Maggiore derives from the fact that it is the largest of the lakes in the area, but among the Italian lakes, it is the second largest after Lake Garda. The train will take you to Stresa, the most famous resort on the western shore. Make your own way to the hotel and then spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Lake Maggiore. (B) 

DAY 3:                                      LAKE MAGGIORE 

Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, explore the famous Borromean Islands, a small archipelago that owes its fame to its three main islands – Isola Madre, with its 16th-century palace and lush botanical gardens; charming Isola dei Pescatori, home to a small fishing community; and the magnificent Isola Bella, boasting an ornate palace and spectacular terraced gardens created over four centuries. Return to Lake Maggiore in the late afternoon. Overnight in Lake Maggiore. (B) 

DAY 4:                                      LAKE MAGGIORE – LAKE COMO 

Breakfast at the hotel. Make your own way to the train station and board the local train that will take you to discover the beauty of another famous Italian lake: Lake Como. The train will pass through valleys and landscapes typical of northern Italy, moving from Piedmont to Lombardy, before arriving in the charming town of Como. Upon arrival, make your own way to the hotel. Afternoon is at leisure. Overnight in Lake Como. (B) 

DAY 5:                                      LAKE COMO 

After breakfast at the hotel, discover the beauty of Lake Como. Your included ticket allows you to get off at each stop and visit the various villages along the western shore from Como to Bellagio. Be careful not to be distracted by such beauty and be sure to check the ferry return times to Como! Overnight in Como. (B) 

DAY 6:                                      LAKE COMO – VERONA 

Breakfast at the hotel. Make your own way to the train station before boarding the train to Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet. Upon arrival, make your own way to the hotel. Time at leisure to stroll around the city or visit the famous Arena di Verona. Overnight in Verona. (B) 

DAY 7:                                      VERONA 

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, visit Verona with the help of an expert local guide (small group tour). The guide will take you on a tour where you will meet people from the past who helped build the Verona of today and learn about legendary stories that have made the city famous throughout the world. You will see the main monuments, such as Juliet’s balcony, Piazza delle Erbe, Castelvecchio, the Lamberti Tower and the Arena (visit from the outside). You will also discover the medieval castle in the centre and surrounding bridges that have withstood more than one war. The visit will become more than just a historical tour and you will also learn about the way of life and thinking of the Veronese people. Afternoon is at leisure. Overnight in Verona. (B) 

DAY 8:                                      VERONA 

Breakfast at the hotel. End of services. (B) 

IMPORTANT NOTE (FROM JUNE 2024): DUE TO MAINTENANCE WORK ON THE RAIL TRACK OF LAKE MAGGIORE, THERE WILL BE INTERRUPTIONS TO THIS ITINERARY. 
MILAN-STRESA: WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REGIONAL TRAIN TO ARONA PLUS A REPLACEMENT BUS FROM ARONA TO STRESA. 
STRESA-COMO: WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REPLACEMENT BUS FROM STRESA TO ARONA PLUS A REGIONAL TRAIN FROM ARONA TO COMO.  

ACCOMMODATION (OR SIMILAR): 

MILAN: NYX Hotel Milan, or Hotel Bristol 

LAKE MAGGIORE: Hotel La Palma, or Hotel Astoria 

LAKE COMO: Hotel Palace, or Metropole & Suisse 

VERONA: Hotel Leon D’Oro 

INCLUDES: 

• 7 nights’ accommodation with daily breakfast in 4* hotels
• One way ticket / 2nd class / from Milano Centrale to Stresa – regional trains
• One way ticket / 2nd class / from Stresa to Como – regional trains
• One way ticket / 2nd class / from Como to Verona (Como – Milano – Verona) – regional train + high speed train
• Return ticket for public boat to the Borromean Islands + entrance ticket to Isola Bella and Isola Madre
• Return ticket for public boat at Lake Como (Como – Bellagio – Como with possibility of intermediate stops)
• Half day guided walking tour of Verona (entrance to the Arena not included)

EXCLUDES: 

• Transfers from/to the rail stations except where specifically mentioned. Note: The hotels are located walking distance from the rail stations.
• Tourist city tax, to be paid on the spot
• Lunches and dinners or any other meals not mentioned in the tour itinerary
• Entrance tickets to monuments and/or museums unless listed above
• Optional tours and experiences
• Extras, tips, porterage, and everything not expressly listed as inclusion is not included and to be paid on the spot

THINGS TO NOTE: 

• Accommodation is subject to change without notice. Every effort is made to avoid hotel changes, but should a mid-tour hotel change become necessary after this list has been printed, contact details of the new hotel will be supplied to you by your Tour Director.
• Hotel rooms may not be available for check-in before 2:00 p.m.
• City taxes are not included and are to be paid directly to the hotel.
• Class of rail ticket is based on 2^nd class unless the optional upgrade to 1^st class has been selected at the time of booking- this is valid on the route Milan-Verona only.
• The itinerary of the tour and the days of excursions may be modified for technical reasons. In any case, all visits and excursions mentioned on the itinerary will be guaranteed or replaced by similar ones.